Coach Drinkwitz looks to set culture in year three

ATLANTA, Ga. (KMIZ)

"Our culture is starting to be set," was the words of Coach Eli Drinkwitz at SEC Media Days ahead of the 2022 season.

Drinkwitz is entering his third season as the head coach of the Tiger's football team. With that, he says it's important to have a winning record, and he relies on the guys he brought to Atlanta to help make that possible.

"They've all developed while they were on our campus, they all have leadership capabilities and have played significant roles in significant games for us in order to win," Drinkwitz said.

The Tigers were represented in Atlanta by senior defensive back Martez Manuel, senior defensive lineman Isaiah McGuire, and graduate student wide receiver Barrett Banister.

Manuel said Monday that the biggest thing the team has to figure out is what will take them over the edge and these leaders seem to look forward to it all coming together.

"This year we're looking forward to putting all of the pieces together that's been building upon the last few years and that equates to success," said McGuire.

"The mission for us is to win the SEC and a Bowl Game with class integrity and academic excellence. I think that's my responsibility as a leader of this football team to push our team, to inspire others and to strive for that goal for us," Banister said.

In their final season, the guys want to make it one to remember.

"This is our last year the guys in this room to figure it out so hopefully we can do that and leave the city of Columbia and the University in a better place than we found it," Manuel said.

Full interviews from SEC Media Days can be found using this link.